by Mentor, Ohio – The Lake Catholic Cougars finished off a doubleheader sweep Saturday afternoon, concluding Crown Conference Play with a 6-1 win over Padua.
The Cougars won the first game of Saturday’s twin-bill, 5-4, and picked up where they left off on offense in Game #2.
AJ Trobetter hit a two-out single to right center field. He advanced to second on an error, then scored on an RBI single from Zach Madan. This put the Cougars up 1-0 in the bottom of the first.
Lake Catholic would score another run in the bottom of the second. Carter Cantrell led off with a single, and then stole second. Antonio Monica beat out a grounder for an infield hit, and Cantrell scored on the throwing error, making the score 2-0.
Zach Madan had an RBI single in the bottom of the third, and Trobenter scored on a fielders’ choice double play, making the score 4-0 in favor of Lake Catholic.
The Cougars would add two more in the bottom of the fifth inning. AJ Trobenter led off with a walk, getting on base for the third time in Game #2. Zach Madan followed up with his third single of the game to put runners at first and second. Starting pitcher Frank Bares helped his own cause with an RBI single, which scored pinch-runner Gage Faraguna. Carter Cantrell followed with a sacrifice fly to score Madan, making the score 6-0.
Frank Bares dealt a gem of a game, throwing a one-hitter through 5 1/3 innings. Padua was not out of the game, as Jacob Duliba singled down the left field line. Lucas Palange reached on an error at short to put runners on the corners. Adam Mindzora drew a walk to load the bases, and Matt Moscarino drew another to put the Bruins on the board.
Sophomore pitcher Frankie Trinetti came on in relief of Bares after the bases-loaded walk, looking to get the Cougars out of the jam. He succeeded, striking out Ryan Hapker, and induced a popout from Matt Lowe.
Trinetti would work a 1-2-3 top of the seventh to close out the ball game.
Lake Catholic moves to 17-6 overall and finishes Crown Conference play at 3-3. The Cougars will host Benedictine on Monday, May 15th, and the Canal Fulton Northwest/Glenville winner on Wednesday, May 17th. They are the #3 seed in the Division II Twinsburg District. Senior outfielder and Marietta commit Zach Madan went 3-3 with a walk, three singles and a pair of runs scored. Sophomore AJ Trobenter went 2-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored.
Padua finishes the regular season at 10-14 and Crown Conference play at 0-6. They will host Canton South on Monday, May 15th, and the winner will travel to Woodridge on Wednesday, May 17th. They are the #18 seed in the Division II Twinsburg District.
Extended highlights here:
Padua Bruins at Lake Catholic Cougars (Baseball) (05/13/2023) – YouTube
